Bottle holder and carrier



Sept. 19, 1950 Filed March 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 do I 1 J '28 M 47 31 ain 6 72 /4 Gran 7 M A c 70/7 H Iill. Bu 7 42 W 24m '72 38 a 34 A4 4/ Lia attorneys Patented Sept. 19, 1950 BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER -Grant M. Acton, Arkansas City, Kans., assignor to Acton Manufacturing Company, Inc., a corporation of Kansas Application March 20, 1948, Serial No. 16,032

4 Claims.

This invention relates to bottle holders and carriers and more particularly to a device for holding and carrying bottles used for beverages such as soft drinks and the like, the principal objects of the invention being to provide a bottle holder and carrier adapted for use with bottle handling machines such as automatic bottle case unloaders and for transporting bottles of beverage as when carrying them from retail stores.

There have been various types of bottle carriers made of paper, fiberboard, wire and sheet metal for carrying bottled beverage from retail stores to the customers home. Such carriers are used for taking empty bottles back to the store where the empties are removed and full bottles from cases or coolers placed in the carrier for the purchaser to again carry home. The empties are placed in wooden cases and returned to-the bottling plant where they are removed from the cases by automatic bottle case unloaders and processed. The cases are then moved through an automatic loading machine which places filled bottles into the cases.

' Further objects of the present invention are, therefore, to provide a carrier of such size and shape that a plurality of same fit in the usual wooden case which is minus the conventional separators whereby the bottles need only be removed from the carrier at the bottling plant and. in the home for use; to provide a carrier structure characterized by the absence of projecting ribs or fastening devices whereby complete engagement of the side and end walls thereof with the case and adjacent carriers is obtained; to provide a carrier of suitable mate rial forming a rigid structure capable of continued use in automatic machines and for all transportation, storage and cooling of the bottled beverage; to provide a bottle carrier in which several bottles may be carried at one time; to provide a bottle carrier adapted for quick and easy placing and removing of bottles, said bottles being held in semirigid position avoiding breakage when the carriers are handled by automatic equipment, and supporting said.

bottles in such a manner, as to eliminate bottle slippage when a case containing four carriers is. picked up by a bottle as is commonly done by case handlers in the industry; to provide a carrier and bail structure in which the bail is adapted for engagement with suitable holddowns or automatic bottle case unloaders to'transmit presssure to the body of the carrier during removal-of the bottles therefrom; to provide a carrier and bail therefor which permits telescoping of said bail allowing the filled carriers to be stacked; and to provide a carrier consisting of relatively few pieces that may be quickly and easily manufactured and assembled into a compact, sturdy and eificient device for carrying and holding beverage bottles during transportation and use with automatic machines in bottling plants.

In accomplishing these and other objects '01 the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved bottle carrier.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the carrier taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4. is a disassembled perspective view' of the improved bottle carrier.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a bottle carrier and holder generally consisting of a body member 2, a bottom member 3, and a top spacer 4. The body member is out from a single piece of sheet metal or the like and formed by suitable dies. The central portion of the body member forms a horizontal partition 5 of suitable size to accommodate the desired number of bottles, the illustrated structure being adapted to receive six bottles, two rows in width and three rows in length, said partition being cut and formed to provide apertures 6 for receiving said bottles, the edges of said apertures being turned downwardly to form flanges I to provide additional surface contact between the partition and the bottles received therein. The apertures 6 are suitable arranged to space the flanges 1 of the respective apertures. Portions arranged at the ends of the partition 5 are turned upwardly as at 8, substantially tangentially with the end apertures 6 to form flanges 9 and It, said flanges being substantially one-half the width of the partition and having suitably spaced slots ll therein for use in assembling the device as later described.

The body member includes sides l2 and I3 preferably integral with the partition 5. The fiat sheet of which the body member is formed is bent upwardly asv at l4 and I5 onlongitudinal lines substantially tangential with the outside portion of the apertures 6 to form the side membars 12 and I3. Said side members are longer than the partition sides and are bent as at l6l 1 and l8l9 respectively to form end portions 20, 2|, 22 and 23 cooperating to form the ends of the carrier as later described. The upper edges of the sides and end portions are turned inwardly as at 24 to form flanges 25, folded against the inner surface 25 of said portions. The lower edges of the end portions and sides adjacent the ends of the lines l4 and 85 are turned inwardly as at 21 to form flanges 28, folded against the inner surface 25 of said members. The

flanges 25 and 28 form rounded upper and lowerv edges and provide a finished appearance eliminating sharp edges and stiffening the sides and end portions to provide suitable rigidity therein. Each of the end portions 25, 2 I, 22 and 23 is provided with inwardly struck tangs 29 and the side and end portions are provided with horizontal slots 30 spaced slightly below the lower edge of the flanges 25 for assembling the structure as later described.

The bottom member 3 is bent as at 3! and 32 forming a horizontal bottom portion '33 and upwardly extending end members 34 and 35, the

height of said end members being such that the upper edges 38 thereof are adapted to engage the lower edge of the flanges 25 and the full height from the bottom of the upper edge of the side member is substantially the same as the inside height of the side walls of a conventional wooden case. Each of the end members 34 and 35 is provided with inwardly struck portions 3! of substantially the same width .as the width of the flange 28 whereby the end members 34 and 35 .are adapted to lie against the inner face of the end portions 20, 2|, 22 and 23 of the side members. The longitudinal edges of the bottom member 3 are turned inwardly to form flanges 38 and 39 tightly folded against the inner faces of the respective portions for stiffening and strengthening the bottom member and eliminating any exposed sharp edges as well as enhancing theappearance of the finished product. The upper end portions of the bottom member are provided with a plurality of slots 45 adapted to register with the tangs 29 on the end portions of the side members for assembling the -respectiv :parts ofth-e carrier as later described.

A reinforcing rib 4! i preferably arranged along the longitudinal center of the bottom portion-33, said ribs preferably terminating short of the end portions 34 and 35. The ribs may be formed in any suitable manner as by forming same in the bottom member. In the structure illustrated, said rib consists of a strip of sheet metal bent as at 42 on the longitudinal center thereof to provide downwardly extending spaced legs 43 -and44, the lower ends of said legs being bent as at 45 to form laterally extending flanges 46 extending toward the side edges of the bottom portion .33. Formed in the rib 4:! are spaced bosses-41 preferably frustro-conical in shape and slightly higher than the rib. The upper ends of the bosses are provided with flatfaces 41 forming seats which align with and cooperate with a bail on the carrier as later described. The rib isnsuitably secured to said bottom portion 33 by any suitable manner, for example the flanges '46 :are provided with slots 48 adapted to :align with-tangs. 49 pressed upwardly from the bottom 33, said tangs extending throughsthe slots and being flattened against the flangesi45, this flat.- tening process preferably bendingazpoittion of tlre flanges into the openings '55 formed in thebot tom portion upon the cutting and bending of the tangs therefrom. This assembly forms interlocking portions which prevent any movement of the respective parts.

The top spacer is cut from a single piece of sheet metal or the like and formed by suitable dies, said spacer consisting of a horizontal panel 5i substantially the same size as the partition 5, the side edges of said spacer being turned upwardly as at 52 to form upwardly extending flanges 53 and 54, said flanges being adapted to be inserted between the flanges 25 and the inner face 26 of the side portions of the side members and engage the inner surface of the bend 24 thereof. In the same manner the end edges of the spacer. are turned upwardly as at 55 to form upwardly extending flanges 56 and 5? adapted to be inserted between the flanges 25 and the inner face of the end portions of the side members and engage the inner surface of the bend thereof. The horizontal panel is cut and formed to provide apertures 58 of substantially the same size and in alignment with the apertures 6 in the partition 5, said apertures 58 and 6 cooperating for receiving and supporting bottles. The edges of the apertures 58 are turned downwardly to form flanges 59 to provide additional surface contact between the top spacer and the bottles received in the carrier. The edges of each of the apertures 53 are preferably provided with recesses 59 arranged substantially tangentially of the respective apertures and parallel with the sides and ends of the carrier. This structure provides four recesses for each aperture whereby spring fingers on automatic bottle case loaders may engage in .said recesses to aid in guiding the bottles into from the horizontal panel 51- in alignment with the slots 35 for assembling the parts as later described.

The carrier is provided with a handle or bail formed of wire or the like of suitable size and stiifness to withstand longitudinal pressure on the members thereof without-any bending. The bail consists of a bar member 6|, the ends of said bar member being curved-downwardly as at 52, the curve being substantially an ogee curve and terminating in downwardly extending vertical members 63, said members 53 being spaced substantially the same as the spacing between the bottle apertures 58 and 6, whereby said vertical members are slidably mounted in apertures 84, arranged on the longitudinal center of the top spacer 4 and are equally spaced fromthe geometric center of said panel for :equal distribution of the weight on said bail, said apertures 54 also being in vertical alignment with the bosses 4'1 in the rib 4 i. In order to provide additional support for the bail and top spacer, a reinforcing member is secured thereto. Said reinforcing member preferably consists of sheet metal, 'consistingof ahorizontal wall '66 provided with'upwardly extending flanges -6l-of suitable size to substantially lie between the flanges 59 in the top spacer. The flanges 6'! are shorter in height than the flanges '59 whereby the wall 65 is parallel withthe panel 5! and is arranged above the lower edge 68 of the flanges 59, the edges 68 being turned inwardly to crimp the reinforcing member in place. The wall 66 of the reinforcing member is provided with an aperture 69 in alignment with the aperture 64 and adapted to slidably mount the vertical member 63 of the bail.

I spectively substantially conical in shape whereby the apertures .64 and 69' have greater spacing thanthe panel 5| and wall 66, this spaced engagement with the vertical member 63 providing adequate support for the Ibail. The verticalmemberet-3 of the bail are provided with lugs 12 adapted to be moved into engagement'with the 'lower'fac'eof the downwardy struck portion H to support the weight of the bottles and carrier when being carried by the bail. The'vertioal members 63 are of such length that when the lugs 12 are in engagement with the downwardly struckportions ll of the reinforcing member 65, the barmember 6! is above thecaps of the bottles'to provide sufficient clearance betweensaid caps and bar member for the insertion of the handof a person to permit the carrier to be transported without danger of striking the hand or fingers on the tops of said bottles. The relationship of the length of the vertical members and the other portions of the carrier are such that when the [bail is moved downwardly in telescoped position, the lugs 12 pass through apertures 13 in the partition 5 and engage the faces 41' of the bosses 41 and the bar 6! of the bail lies below the upper ends or caps of the bottles. The bottoms of the lugs 12 are flat to provide substantial supporting engagement between the lugs and the faces 4'! tending to maintain the lower ends of the legs 63 centered thereon when downward pressure is applied to the handle. The height of the bosses ll and bail is such that when the lugs engage the faces 41 the bar member 6| is accurately positioned below the tops of the bottles in the'carrier and in position for engagement with a suitable device on an automatic bottle case unloader to apply pressure to the bosses 41 holding the carrier down as bottles are removed by the unloading devices in the machine.

In assembling a carrier of parts constructed as described, the reinforcing member 65 is arranged between the flanges 59 and the top spaces 4 with the apertures Hand 69 in alignment. The lower edges 68 of the flanges 59 are then crimped to anchor the reinforcing member in place. The vertical members 63 of the bail are then inserted into the apertures% and $9 and moved therethrough and the lug 12 formed on the lower ends of said vertical members. The top spacer is now inserted tangs are then tightly folded over and pressed against the outer faces of the sides l2 and I3 forming a depression therein whereby the tang does not project beyond thefaces of the sides.

over and pressed whereby the portion of the' metal adjacent the slots over which the ends of the tangs lie is pressed into the opening formed in the cutting of th tangs from the respective parts of: the device. This forms a completed carrieras illustrated in Fig. 1 adapted to carry a plurality of bottles of beverage, the particular carrier illustrated being adapted for six bottles. The dimensions of the respective parts of the carrier are such that the bottles substantially en gage'the flanges 1 in the horizontal partition, flanges 59 in the top spacer and the flanges 25 and 28 on the side and. end portions of the side members, thelower portions of the bottles being held against'contact by the engagement with'the respective portions of the carrier, and the bottom of'each bottle will rest on the flanges 38; 39 and 46 of the bottom portion 33 and rib M. s

It i believed obvious that I have provided a bottle holder and carrier of rigid structure, capable of holding a plurality of bottles which may be easily removed and inserted in said carriers and particularly adapted to fit in wooden cases and for efiicient use in automatic case unloaders 'adn case loading machines, the telescoping bail and associated carrier structure functioning with the case unloader machine to hold the carrier and facilitate removal of the bottles. The

. ba'il also permits stacking of the carriers when of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, a lower spacer member intermediate the upper spacer and bottom, said lower spacer having apertures in alignment with the apertures in the upper spacer, side members on the lower spacer and extending upwardly therefrom, end members on the side members, means securing the upper spacer to the end members, means securing the bottom, end members and lower spacer together, a handle having spaced portions slidably mounted in the upper spacer, and spaced. seats on the bottom in alignment with said handle portions and adapted to be engaged thereby when the handle is at the lowermost position below the tops of bottles contained in the carrier and in position to be engaged by holddown members on an automatic bottle case unloader for transmitting pressure from said members to the seats for holding the carrier during removal of bottles therefrom.

2. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described for use with automatic bottle case unloaders including, a bottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, an upper spacer member above the bottom, said upper spacer having a plurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, a lower spacer member intermediate the upper spacer and bottom, said lower spacer member having apertures in alignment with the apertures in the upper spacer, side members on the lower spacer and extending upwardly therefrom, end portions on the side members overlying the end members, means securing the upper spacer to the end portions, means securing the bottom, end portions and lower spacer together, a handle, spaced legs on said handle slidably mounted in the upper spacer to position the handle below the top of the bottles and in position to be engaged 4 by holddown members in an automatic bottle case unloader; seats-:on' thebottomr in alignmentwith the handle legs, said? legs engaging; said seats when. the handle is in lowermost: position for transmitting: pressure from the bottle unloader to'hold the carrier downduring: removal of bottles therefrom, and means on therhandle legsengageable? with the upper spacer for supporting the bottle carrier when the handle is. in its uppermost position.

3'. A bottle holder of'the' character described for usewith automatic'bottle caseunloaders including, a bttom;.an upper spacer member above the bottom, said upper spacer having aplurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, sidemembers, end members on the sidemembers, means securing the upper spacer to the-side and end members; means securing-.the-bottom to the end members, a handle having. spaced portions slidably mounted on the upper spacer, and spaced seats on the bottom in alignmentwith said handle portions and adapted bovbe: engaged thereby when-the handle isat the lowermost position below the-tops of bottles containedin' the carrier and in position to be en gaged by holddown members onan automatic bottle case unloader for transmitting pressure fromrsaid-members to the seats for holding the carrier during removal of bottles therefrom.

4. A bottle holder of the character described for use with automatic bottle case unloaders including, a bottom, an upper spacer member above the bottom, said upper spacer having a plurality of aperturesv for receivingv and substantially engaging? bottles, side: members, end, members on the: side members, means securing the, upper spacer'tothe sideandend members, means securing the bottom to the end members, a handle having-spacedvertical portions, said upper spacer having spaced openings between the apertures for slidably mounting the spaced vertical poi;- tions of the handle, a panel spaced below the upperspacer and secured thereto, said panel having openings aligned. with the vertical handle portion receiving openings in the upper spacer for providing spaced supports for said vertical handle portions, and means on the lower ends of the vertical'handle portions adapted to engage the bottom When the handle is at the lowermost position below the tops of the bottles contained in the carrier and in position to be enaged by the holddown members on an automatic bottle caseunloader for transmitting pressure from saidmembers to'the bottom forhold.- ing: the carrierduring removal of bottles therefrom.

GRANT M. ACTON.

REFERENCES. CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,054,035 Ruhnau Feb. 25, 1913 2,404,685 Bassichis- July 23, 1946 2,441,834 Morse May 18, 1948 

